The 2005 Subaru Forester is the best 2005 model year SUV, with 5 stars in all four NHTSA crash-test ratings and 22 mpg combined (EPA, 2.5 L engine, all-wheel drive). The Honda Pilot (17 mpg) is #2 and the Acura MDX (17 mpg) is #3, both with the same 5-star crash results.
14 mpg combined (13 city / 18 highway), 4.0 L V6 with a six-speed automatic, four-wheel drive
The most off-road gear on the list
Pick by what you want
Best overall
2005 Subaru Forester
Best for families
2005 Honda Pilot
Best premium
2005 Acura MDX
Best 4x4
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Best efficiency
2005 Honda CR-V
The ranking
1
2005 Subaru Forester
Photo: IFCAR / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe top 2005 pick.
Combined MPG (EPA): 22 mpg combined (20 city / 26 highway), 2.5 L four-cylinder (2.5 X) with a four-speed automatic, all-wheel driveNHTSA 2005 crash ratings: driver and passenger frontal 5 stars each, driver and passenger side 5 stars each, rollover 4 stars (older NHTSA star system, no single overall score)Model year change: The L.L. Bean edition was added to the U.S. Forester lineup in 2005
The Forester earned 5 stars in all four NHTSA crash-test ratings (driver and passenger frontal, driver and passenger side) and 4 stars for rollover. It rates 22 mpg combined (20 city / 26 highway) with the 2.5 L four-cylinder and all-wheel drive.
Go ifThe most fuel-efficient SUV here with top crash ratings
Skip ifYou want a third row
Why #1 over #2: It has the same 5-star crash results as the Pilot with 22 mpg against 17.
2
2005 Honda Pilot
Photo: RL GNZLZ from Chile / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe family choice.
Combined MPG (EPA): 17 mpg combined (15 city / 20 highway), 3.5 L V6 with a five-speed automatic, four-wheel driveNHTSA 2005 crash ratings: driver and passenger frontal 5 stars each, driver and passenger side 5 stars each, rollover 4 stars (older NHTSA star system, no single overall score)Engine: The 2005 Pilot received a new J35A6 3.5 L V6 rated 255 hp and 250 lb-ftStability control: For the 2005 model year Honda added tire pressure monitoring and electronic stability control
The Pilot earned 5 stars in all four NHTSA crash-test ratings and 4 stars for rollover, and rates 17 mpg combined (15 city / 20 highway). For 2005 it got a new 3.5 L V6 rated 255 hp.
Go ifFamilies who want three rows and top crash ratings
Skip ifFuel economy is your priority
Why #2 over #3: It ties the MDX on stars and mpg and ranks ahead on our earlier ranking.
3
2005 Acura MDX
Photo: IFCAR / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe premium choice.
Combined MPG (EPA): 17 mpg combined (15 city / 21 highway), 3.5 L V6 with a five-speed automatic, all-wheel drive, premium gasolineNHTSA 2005 crash ratings: driver and passenger frontal 5 stars each, driver and passenger side 5 stars each, rollover 4 stars (older NHTSA star system, no single overall score)Engine: The 2004 through 2006 MDX 3.5 L V6 produces 265 hp and 253 lb-ftDebut: Acura introduced the MDX on October 5, 2000 as a 2001 model
The MDX earned 5 stars in all four NHTSA crash-test ratings and 4 stars for rollover, and rates 17 mpg combined with the 3.5 L V6 and all-wheel drive, on premium gasoline.
Go ifA premium SUV with all-wheel drive and top crash ratings
Skip ifYou want to use regular gasoline
Why #3 over #4: It ties the Grand Cherokee on mpg and has 4 rollover stars against its 4 and 3.
4
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee
Photo: IFCAR / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe 4x4 choice.
Combined MPG (EPA): 17 mpg combined (15 city / 19 highway), 3.7 L V6 with a five-speed automatic, four-wheel driveNHTSA 2005 crash ratings: driver and passenger frontal 5 stars each, driver and passenger side 5 stars each, rollover 4 stars and 3 stars (NHTSA lists two rollover ratings for this entry) (older NHTSA star system, no single overall score)New for 2005: The WK Grand Cherokee debuted for the 2005 model year with available Quadra-Drive II four-wheel drive and an optional 5.7 L Hemi V8; the 3.7 L V6 replaced the 4.0 L straight-six
The Grand Cherokee earned 5 stars in all four NHTSA crash-test ratings and rates 17 mpg combined with the 3.7 L V6 and four-wheel drive. NHTSA lists rollover at 4 stars and 3 stars for this entry.
Go ifA capable 4x4 with top crash ratings
Skip ifYou want the best fuel economy
Why #4 over #5: Its four 5-star crash ratings beat the XC90’s three.
5
2005 Volvo XC90
Photo: Vauxford / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe Volvo.
Combined MPG (EPA): 17 mpg combined (15 city / 20 highway), 2.5 L five-cylinder with a five-speed automatic, all-wheel drive, premium gasolineNHTSA 2005 crash ratings: driver frontal 5 stars, passenger frontal 4 stars, driver and passenger side 5 stars each, rollover 4 stars (older NHTSA star system, no single overall score)V8: A Yamaha-built 4.4 L V8 was added in 2005, producing 311 hp and 325 lb-ftRecall: In July 2007 Volvo recalled 42,211 U.S. and Canadian 2005 model year XC90s for risk of battery short circuit and fire
The XC90 earned 5 stars for driver frontal and for both side ratings, 4 stars for passenger frontal and 4 stars for rollover. It rates 17 mpg combined with the 2.5 L five-cylinder and all-wheel drive.
Go ifA premium SUV with strong side ratings
Skip ifYou want a 5-star passenger frontal rating
Why #5 over #6: Its three 5-star crash ratings beat the CR-V’s two.
6
2005 Honda CR-V
Photo: 2001FordRangerXLT / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe efficient compact.
Combined MPG (EPA): 22 mpg combined (20 city / 25 highway), 2.4 L four-cylinder with a five-speed automatic, all-wheel driveNHTSA 2005 crash ratings: driver and passenger frontal 5 stars each, side not rated, rollover 4 stars (older NHTSA star system, no single overall score)2005 refresh: The CR-V received a mid-cycle refresh for the 2005 model year, and U.S. models gained a five-speed automatic in place of the four-speedStandard safety: All 2005 and later U.S. CR-Vs have front seat-mounted side airbags and side-curtain airbags with rollover sensors
The CR-V earned 5 stars for driver and passenger frontal and 4 stars for rollover; NHTSA lists no side rating. It rates 22 mpg combined (20 city / 25 highway), tied for the best on the list.
Go ifEfficiency in a compact SUV
Skip ifYou want a rated side crash test
Why #6 over #7: It ties the 4Runner on 5-star crash ratings and has 4 rollover stars against 3.
7
2005 Toyota 4Runner
Photo: Bull-Doser / Public domain via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe off-roader.
Combined MPG (EPA): 17 mpg combined (15 city / 19 highway), 4.0 L V6 with a five-speed automatic, part-time four-wheel driveNHTSA 2005 crash ratings: driver and passenger frontal 4 stars each, driver and passenger side 5 stars each, rollover 3 stars (older NHTSA star system, no single overall score)2005 change: For the 2005 model year the optional V8 was enhanced and a five-speed automatic became standard on the V6
The 4Runner earned 4 stars for frontal, 5 stars for side and 3 stars for rollover, and rates 17 mpg combined with the 4.0 L V6 and four-wheel drive. For 2005 a five-speed automatic became standard on the V6.
Go ifA body-on-frame off-roader
Skip ifYou want the best frontal ratings or fuel economy
Why #7 over #8: It has rated crash tests on both front and side, where the Tahoe has no side rating.
8
2005 Chevrolet Tahoe
Photo: lostinfog / CC BY-SA 2.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe big one.
Combined MPG (EPA): 15 mpg combined (13 city / 18 highway), 5.3 L V8 with a four-speed automatic, four-wheel driveNHTSA 2005 crash ratings: driver and passenger frontal 4 stars each, side not rated, rollover 3 stars (older NHTSA star system, no single overall score)2005 update: For 2005 sixth-generation OnStar became standard on all trims and the tire-pressure monitoring system was upgradedGeneration: This Tahoe is the second generation, redesigned on the GMT800 platform and launched in January 2000 as a 2000 model
The Tahoe earned 4 stars for frontal and 3 stars for rollover; NHTSA lists no side rating. It rates 15 mpg combined (13 city / 18 highway) with the 5.3 L V8 and four-wheel drive.
Go ifFull-size room and a V8
Skip ifFuel economy or rollover resistance matter
Why #8 over #9: It has NHTSA star ratings, where the RX 330 has none.
9
2005 Lexus RX 330
Photo: HJUdall / CC0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe luxury unrated.
Combined MPG (EPA): 18 mpg combined (16 city / 22 highway), 3.3 L V6 with a five-speed automatic, all-wheel driveNHTSA 2005 crash ratings: NHTSA lists no 2005 star ratings for this model (every category shows Not Rated)Generation: The second-generation RX 330 (3.3 L V6) went on sale in 2003Award: Intellichoice named the RX 330 the Best Overall Value in the SUV market over US$30,000 in 2003, 2004 and 2005
NHTSA lists no 2005 star ratings for the RX 330. It rates 18 mpg combined (16 city / 22 highway) with the 3.3 L V6 and all-wheel drive, and Intellichoice named it Best Overall Value in 2005.
Go ifA luxury SUV with an Intellichoice value award
Skip ifYou want published NHTSA star ratings
Why #9 over #10: Its 18 mpg combined beats the LR3’s 14.
10
2005 Land Rover LR3
Photo: Rudolf Stricker / CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Answrs VerdictThe off-road unrated.
Combined MPG (EPA): 14 mpg combined (13 city / 18 highway), 4.0 L V6 with a six-speed automatic, four-wheel driveNHTSA 2005 crash ratings: NHTSA lists no 2005 star ratings for this model (every category shows Not Rated)Debut: Land Rover introduced the Discovery 3, sold as the LR3 in North America, on April 2, 2004Off-road kit: The Discovery 3 was fitted with Hill Descent Control and four-wheel electronic traction control, and has permanent four-wheel drive with a two-speed transfer box
NHTSA lists no 2005 star ratings for the LR3. It rates 14 mpg combined (13 city / 18 highway) with the 4.0 L V6 and permanent four-wheel drive, and has Hill Descent Control.
Go ifThe most off-road gear on the list
Skip ifYou want published NHTSA star ratings or good fuel economy
How we ranked these
We ranked the 2005 models on NHTSA’s 2005 star ratings, which have no overall score: the number of 5-star results among the four crash-test ratings, then rollover stars, then EPA combined mpg from fueleconomy.gov (all-wheel-drive or four-wheel-drive version) and then our earlier ranking. The RX 330 and LR3 have no NHTSA 2005 ratings and rank last. Prices are not shown because no maker press release was read. Facts are taken from each maker's own published information; check the official site before you buy.
Questions people ask
What is the best SUV from model year 2005?
The Subaru Forester. It has 5 stars in all four NHTSA crash-test ratings, 4 stars for rollover and 22 mpg combined (EPA, 2.5 L engine, all-wheel drive), the best mpg of the top-rated SUVs here.
Which 2005 SUV gets the best gas mileage?
The Subaru Forester and Honda CR-V both rate 22 mpg combined (EPA, all-wheel drive); the Forester has 5 stars in all four NHTSA crash tests, the CR-V has 5 stars frontal and no side rating.
Does NHTSA give 2005 SUVs an overall star rating?
No. For 2005 NHTSA lists separate frontal, side and rollover star ratings and shows the overall rating as Not Rated, so we compare the individual ratings.
Which 2005 SUV had a battery fire recall?
In July 2007 Volvo recalled 42,211 U.S. and Canadian 2005 model year XC90s for risk of battery short circuit and fire.
EPA combined fuel economy, 2005 model year at a glance
2005 Land Rover LR314 mpg
2005 Chevrolet Tahoe15 mpg
2005 Honda Pilot17 mpg
2005 Acura MDX17 mpg
2005 Jeep Grand Cherokee17 mpg
2005 Volvo XC9017 mpg
2005 Toyota 4Runner17 mpg
2005 Lexus RX 33018 mpg
2005 Subaru Forester22 mpg
2005 Honda CR-V22 mpg
EPA combined fuel economy, 2005 model year, as published by each maker. Picks without a published figure are left off.
